Gran Canaria Leads Canary Islands’ Blue Economy, Driving Sustainable Maritime Growth
Gran Canaria drives over half of the Canary Islands’ blue economy, spearheading sustainable maritime industries and renewable energy initiatives.
- • Gran Canaria accounts for 54% of the Canary Islands' blue economy, contributing €1.901 billion in 2022.
- • The island leads in naval repair, port services, and fishing, dominating these regional sectors.
- • Renewable marine energies and offshore wind are identified as key growth areas with support for the Oceanic Platform of Canarias.
- • Gran Canaria’s blue economy contributes 3.87% to the archipelago’s GDP, exceeding industrial and construction sectors' shares.
Key details
Gran Canaria plays a pivotal role in the Canary Islands' blue economy, contributing 54% of the archipelago's maritime economic activity in 2022. According to the Society for Economic Promotion of Gran Canaria (Spegc), the blue economy in the Canary Islands reached €3.521 billion that year, accounting for 7.18% of the regional GDP. Gran Canaria’s share amounts to €1.901 billion, outpacing other islands such as Tenerife (19%) and Lanzarote (13%).
The island's dominance is evident in key sectors like naval repair—where it produces 90% of the regional output—port services (71.7%), and fishing (near 70%). Antonio Morales, president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, attributes this success to the strategic importance of the Port of La Luz and Las Palmas, coupled with vital logistics, auxiliary services, and food processing industries. Additionally, Gran Canaria is pioneering in desalination and integrated water cycle management to enhance energy efficiency and minimize environmental impacts.
Morales also highlighted the growing potential of marine renewable energies, stressing the urgent need to accelerate offshore wind energy projects and boosting support for innovations led by the Oceanic Platform of Canarias (Plocan) based in Taliarte. He underscored the vital contributions of research institutions such as the University of Las Palmas and the Institute of Technology of Canarias in driving the blue economy’s advancement.
This focus on the blue economy is framed not only as an economic strategy but as a commitment to sustainable development harmonized with the island's unique insular context. The sector's contribution surpasses that of traditional industries, with the blue economy accounting for 3.87% of the archipelago’s GDP versus the industrial sector's 2.8% and construction's combined 5.8%.
While Tenerife recently inaugurated an International Sustainability Conference focusing on sustainability, blue economy, and circular economy initiatives, Gran Canaria’s achievements underscore the broader Canary Islands' efforts to merge economic vitality with environmental responsibility. The conference, held in Adeje, aims to bolster awareness and promote sustainable development strategies in the region, reflecting a growing consensus on the importance of the blue economy and related sectors for future prosperity.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
